Amy Schumer reveals Cushing’s syndrome diagnosis
Actor and director Amy Schumer has revealed she was recently diagnosed with Cushing’s syndrome, a rare condition that can make the face appear puffy.
Schumer was recently a guest on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon, which caused the comedian to be inundated with messages about her appearance. She explained that it was the result of health problems, which led to her undergoing a hysterectomy and an appendectomy in 2021 as a result of endometriosis.
Now, Schumer has elaborated on her condition, revealing she later discovered it is a type of Cushing’s syndrome, which is caused by having excessive levels of cortisol.
Since being diagnosed with the condition, Schumer, while in conversation with Jessica Yelin for the News Not Noise newsletter, says she feels “reborn”. The actor then explained: “There are a few types of Cushing. Some that can be fatal, require brain surgery or removal of adrenal glands.”
She continued: “While I was doing press on camera for my Hulu show, I was also in MRI machines four hours at a time, having my veins shut down from the amount of blood drawn and thinking I may not be around to see my son grow up. So finding out I have the kind of Cushing that will just work itself out and I’m healthy was the greatest news imaginable. It has been a crazy couple weeks for me and my family.”
While Schumer wasn’t initially welcoming to fans worrying about her appearance on social media, it ultimately led to her seeking medical assistance and secure a diagnosis.
“Thank god for that because that’s how I realised something was wrong. Just like when I realised I had named my son something that didn’t sound so good. The internet is undefeated, as they say,” she explained.
What is Cushing’s syndrome?
According to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, Cushing’s syndrome is a “disorder that occurs when your body makes too much of the hormone cortisol over a long period of time. Cortisol is sometimes called the ‘stress hormone’ because it helps your body respond to stress. Cortisol also helps.”
Cushing’s syndrome primarily affects women, who are three times more likely to contract the disease compared with men. Although children can occasionally be diagnosed with Cushing’s syndrome, it is most common in adults aged between 30 to 50.
Symptoms of Cushing’s include weight gain, a round face, easy bruising, purple stretch marks across the body, weak muscles, increased neck fat and thin limbs.
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